Chapter 32

32

AT THIS POINT IN EVERY presentation, all hell broke loose.

“A bot that can pursue happiness?”

“With emotions?”

“That’s a violation of the Ester Act!”

Trust people to always state the obvious.

“Would you rather it be a human?” The auditorium quieted at Actinium’s question. “Think of this as a clinical trial; the bot will test the treatment before it’s released to the masses. Does someone want to volunteer in its stead? Be the guinea pig?” Silence. “I assumed not.”

“The bot’s happiness is just a means to an end,” said Kasey, who had less patience for the audience than Actinium. The bot continued to roll toward her from across the stage. “Once it completes the ‘Find me’ command…”

The bot reached her.